Morning Box Score: Cubs Slide Continues; Humber Outduels Hernandez
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 8, 2011 3:00PM
Phil Humber has emerged as the surprise story of the 2011 White Sox and given some stability to a White Sox rotation that will be without Jake Peavy again for a couple of starts. Humber improved his record to 5-3 on the season by outdueling Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, last year's AL Cy Young Award winner. Humber held the Mariners to one run and five strikeouts over 7-2/3 innings, the third time this season Humber has pitched more than seven innings in a start. Humber also had plenty of backup from the Sox heavy lumber. Carlos Quentin hit a two-run homer and Paul Konerko added a solo shot. With the Cleveland Indians coming back to Earth, the Al Central is shaping up to be a race between the Sox and Detroit Tigers.
It's becoming the same song, different day for the Chicago National League Ballclub. Little offense and shaky pitching lead to another "L." This time, Reds Starter Edinson Volquez stymied the Cubs for seven innings and Miguel Cairo hit a grand slam to send the Cubs to their eighth straight loss. At this point, we're all for unleashing Carlos Zambrano on any Gatorade cooler with a baseball bat, and any teammate that gets in his way. It's not the losses that frustrate. It's the way they're losing.